# RE: newbie - a few questions

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-newbie-a-few-questions/51550>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [December 1, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-newbie-a-few-questions/51550 "2005-12-01T17:30:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/HOGANBP)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-newbie-a-few-questions/51550/1 "2005-12-01T17:30:30Z")

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1. the table is based on pluralizing your model. Recipe = recipes table.  
This can all be configured through Active Record. As a beginner, I  
wouldn’t worry about it yet.

2. InstantRails has a config file that can be modified. However, one  
thing at a time… Get comfortable writing rails apps using the built in  
server. Then go learn InstantRails… It’s not necessary to learn the  
language. Your rails application is going to determine the database you  
use, not InstantRails.

3.Yup. You should buy the “Agile Web D. with Rails” book. It  
covers login very well and really answers a lot of beginner (and  
advanced) questions. Plus you’re supporting the development of Rails (in  
a way).

As for PDF, though I’ve not done it, I know it’s possible and there are  
those on the list who have had much success with it/

1. Validation is easy in Rails.

In your Recipe model (recipe.rb) add this line after the class  
declaration: (between ‘class Recipe’ and ‘end’

```
 validates_presence_of :title

```

To validate the title field. There’s many other validators like  
“validates\_numericality\_of” and others.

Since you’re doing JSP, you should be pretty comfortable with an API and  
Rails has a great one at [http://api.rubyonrails.com/](http://api.rubyonrails.com/)

I hope this helps answer your questions. If you can remember that Rails  
is much more than scaffolding and ‘magic’, you’ll start to love it and  
you’ll be amazed every single day at what it can help you create.

Good luck!

-Brian H.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/HOGANBP)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-newbie-a-few-questions/51550/2 "2005-12-01T17:46:45Z")

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Thanks, for explaining, it sure helps.

I did order the book yesterday.

> 1. the table is based on pluralizing your model. Recipe = recipes table.  
> This seems it might cause me problems as some of my tables are named  
> software, locations, employees.

> 1. InstantRails has a config file that can be modified. However, one  
> I already have Instant Rails installed at work, but use a Mac at Home.  
> Are you saying I should not use this now?

Regards,

Frank R.  
removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/HOGANBP)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-newbie-a-few-questions/51550/3 "2005-12-01T18:07:09Z")

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Hi, Frank,

than set\_table\_name “[your table name]” will be your friend. Have a look  
at: [Peak Obsession](http://wiki.rubyonrails.com/rails/pages/HowToUseLegacySchemas)

regards  
Jan

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@HOGANBP](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/HOGANBP)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 2:42am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-newbie-a-few-questions/51550/4 "2005-12-02T02:42:28Z")

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Frank R. wrote:

> I already have Instant Rails installed at work, but use a Mac at Home.  
> Are you saying I should not use this now?

For your Mac, use Locomotive [1] (free) and TextMate [2] (very  
affordable - 39 euros). See the movie [3] of the combination in action.  
(The movie shows an older version of Locomotive, but should be  
convincing.)

regards

```
Justin

```

[1] [http://locomotive.sourceforge.net/](http://locomotive.sourceforge.net/)  
[2] [http://www.macromates.com/](http://www.macromates.com/)  
[3] [http://locomotive.sourceforge.net/images/locomotive\_intro.mov](http://locomotive.sourceforge.net/images/locomotive_intro.mov)